Hi everyone I'm Monica Reinagel and you're listening to the nutrition divas quick and

dirty tips for eating well and feeling fabulous. This week I'm going to be talking about the pros and

cons of water fluoridation and a bit about the precautionary principle. Should

fluoride be added to public water supplies in order to reduce tooth decay?

Communities across the US are grappling with this question.

In municipalities where they don't floridate the water, citizens are debating whether they should start.

Meanwhile, those who live in cities that do floridate are debating whether they should stop.

Nutrition Diva listener Amanda

recently wrote to ask my opinion on this charged issue.

Before I weigh in, let me quickly outline

the main arguments for and against fluoridation.

Water fluoridation programs date back to the middle of the last century

when the American Medical Association and the American Dental Association

both came out in favor of fluoridation as a safe and

effective way to reduce cavities and tooth decay in the general population.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control hailed fluoridation programs as one of the top 10 public health

achievements of the 20th century.

The World Health Organization points out that benefits are greatest for the economically

disadvantaged, who often don't have access to adequate

dental care.

Opponents of fluoridation say that too little is known about the long-term risks of fluoride ingestion,

and they point to research suggesting a positive correlation

...